Implant of polymer containing pentacyclic triterpenes from Eugenia punicifolia inhibits inflammation and activates skeletal muscle remodeling.

Sustained chronic inflammation induces activation of genes involved in cellular proliferation and apoptosis, thereby causing skeletal muscle degeneration. To investigate in vitro effects of isolated pentacyclic triterpenes from Eugenia punicifolia (Ep-CM) upon signaling pathways involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle cell line proliferation, and in vivo muscular tissue remodeling. C2C12 cells were seeded on eight-well plates and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation, TUNEL assays, mitochondria viability, zymography for matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), Western blot analysis for MAPKinase signaling pathway, NFκB activation and HMGB1 production subsequently determined under basal conditions and after Ep-CM treatment. A polymer containing Ep-CM was implanted on the volar surface of gastrocnemius muscles subjected to acute injury induced by bupivacaine for local slow and gradual release of bioactive compounds, and mice killed 4 days after surgery. Ep-CM inhibited proliferation of C2C12 myoblast cell line in a dose-dependent manner, confirmed by reduction of [(3)H]-thymidine uptake without affecting cell viability or inducing apoptosis. The cytostatic effect of Ep-CM occurred mainly via inhibition of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) activation and DNA synthesis, possibly inhibiting the G1 phase of the cell cycle, since Ep-CM increased pAkt and p27(kip1) but reduced Cyclin D1. Ep-CM in vitro treatment increased MMP-9 and MMP-2 activities of C2C12 myoblast cells, but reduced in vivo MMP-9 activity and acute muscular inflammation. Besides cytostatic and anti-inflammatory effects, Ep-CM pentacyclic triterpenes also contributed to degradation of basement membrane components by activating mechanisms of skeletal muscle remodeling in response to local injury.